Evidence-based care pathways for management of early childhood caries

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide general dentists with simple care pathways for evidence-based early childhood caries chronic disease management (ECC-CDM). Early childhood caries, defined as the presence of dental caries in children younger than 6 years old, is a chronic disease that has been traditionally managed with conventional restorative care. There are limits to the long-term success of restorative care alone, and the care pathways in the ECC-CDM model include additional treatment modalities such as fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride, interim therapeutic restorations, and sealants. The ECC-CDM model also pairs customized, patient-specific strategies to these treatment options. These strategies include the use of active surveillance, counseling on prevention, recall strategies to prevent disease relapse, and the option to defer restorative care. General dentists can use the care pathways in the ECC-CDM model to manage caries progression in a way that best addresses the individual needs of children.

Keywords: chronic disease management; dental caries; early childhood caries; general dentist.